Rolex introduced the Daytona 126529LN, exclusively designed to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The new model, which comes with an 18K white gold case and bracelet made of the same material, stands out with its unique dial design and the red number 100 on its black ceramic bezel.
The new Daytona 126529LN seems to have created a lot of excitement for many watch enthusiasts, especially the brand's loyal fan base. Equipped with a dial inspired by the Daytona model, which was used by the famous actor Paul Newman and reached a record sale price in the auction he participated in in the past years, the new version also impresses with its sapphire crystal display case back detail.
The model, which emerged as a result of the partnership between Daytona, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, and 24 Hours of Le Mans, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary, seems to have exceeded expectations with its extraordinary details. The 126529LN comes with the updated Daytona case, which is designed with a diameter of 40mm and a height of 12.2mm, which was introduced at the Baselworld fair this year. The black ceramic bezel with a tachymetric scale on the front of the case, which is made of 18K white gold material specifically for this model, differs from other references with the red detail applied to the number 100 on the scale. While the inscriptions on the bezel take their final form with the platinum material filled with PVD through the mold gaps opened on the ceramic, the number 100 on the bezel gets its red color from the same colored ceramic material used in its production. The elegant case, which is a perfect example of how the case of a sports-chronograph watch should be in a proportional sense, offers resistance to 100 meters of water pressure, just like the other versions in the model family.
The most distinctive detail that distinguishes the 126529LN from other Daytona versions is the dial. The new model houses an exclusive dial designed in a color formation called the reverse Panda in watch jargon, which pays homage to the iconic Ref 6239 model, owned by Paul Newman for many years. The black dial with a shiny and sunray surface pattern is accompanied by silvery chronograph sub-dials. The chronograph hour counter, which is placed at 3 o'clock, can measure up to 24 hours specifically for the modified caliber to keep the time of the 24 Hours of Le Mans race to which this model is attributed.
At the heart of the new model is the in-house designed and produced Caliber 4132. Based on the Caliber 4130, which we see in the new generation Daytona models, the new movement operates at a frequency of 4Hz (28.800vph) and offers a power reserve of 72 days/3 hours. The automatic caliber, which carries the Superlative Chronometer (i.e. Rolex's own standards applied after the assembly of the movement inside the case, in addition to the standard COSC) certification, keeps time with a daily accuracy rate of +/- 2 seconds. Column wheel and vertical clutch integrated chronograph movement includes high-tech components such as Paramagnetic blue Parachrom hairspring with Rolex overcoil - variable inertia balance wheel, traversing balance bridge, Paraflex shock absorbers, Chronergy escapement, paramagnetic nickel-phosphorus pallet fork and escape wheel. The new movement stands out with its ability to measure up to 24 hours, added to the chronograph function to keep the time of the 24 Hours of Le Mans race.
The Rolex Daytona 126529LN comes with an Oyster style bracelet made of 18K white gold and equipped with an Oysterlock clasp that features the Easylink comfort extension.
The list price for the new model added to the standard collection is EUR 42.407, excluding taxes.
